Premier League English

Sir Alex Ferguson’s terse and cautious response to Manchester United title challenge

This may come as a whopper of a surprise as Manchester United are actually in the reckoning as Premier League title challengers for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

However, begging to differ from some of those souls dreaming ahead of trophy glory at Old Trafford due to a sudden surge in performance on the pitch, Sir Alex Ferguson has wisely chosen to caution restraint instead, refusing to be a passenger afloat on cloud nine regarding Manchester United’s title chances amid their impressive recent run of form.

The Red Devils have to date collected 26 points from the last 30 in the Premier League and sit level on points with Liverpool at the summit, with the added bonus of having a game in hand on Jurgen Klopp’s side, to be played against Burnley next week.

Liverpool, winless in their three games since Christmas and victory at Turf Moor, with their eyebrows plucked after an unexpected demoralizing loss to Southampton, will ensure United go to Anfield on January 17 three points ahead of the champions.

In his interview with the Daily Mail, Ferguson, playing the devil’s advocate, gave a short verdict on the title race:

“It’s not an easy road to get back into challenging for the league. It’s a difficult league these days.”

Ferguson chose instead to pay tribute to Marcus Rashford for his charity work during the coronavirus pandemic. The 79-year-old United doyen highly commended Rashford and his Common Goal-founding teammate Juan Mata for their examples set as footballers who remember their roots.

“He’s always been a good kid,” Ferguson said of Rashford.

“He joined us when he was nine years of age. When you see people’s demeanour, behaviour, way of carrying themselves and ability to change things, that’s him. He’s got that.”

“He’s come from a working-class background and he knows what it’s like. When I was at school you had the free dinners and Marcus knows exactly what that’s like.

“I know the boy at United, Juan Mata, who gives a percentage of his wages to charity.

“Look at what Rashford has done. Not all footballers are out buying cars. There’s a big percentage with a big heart. Football people aren’t idle.”